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Blue morwong (Nemadactylus douglasii) — Cheilodactylidae

Blue morwong

Nemadactylus douglasii

The Blue morwong (Nemadactylus douglasii) is a saltwater fish of the family Cheilodactylidae that grows up to 81 cm.

Length
81 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeastern Australia and northeastern New Zealand; continental shelf near rocky reefs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The grey morwong is a morwong (Latridae) from the waters around southeastern Australia. The species has a fairly deep, silvery-grey body with a small mouth and elongated lower pectoral fin rays with which it probes the bottom. It lives on the continental shelf, often near rocky reefs. Bottom-bound, it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as crustaceans, worms and molluscs. It is a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue morwong?

The Blue morwong has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Elongated lower pectoral fin rays for probing the bottom; food fish of the continental shelf.

Where does the Blue morwong live?

The Blue morwong lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southeastern Australia and northeastern New Zealand; continental shelf near rocky reefs.

How big does the Blue morwong get?

The Blue morwong grows to a maximum of about 81 cm.

Is the Blue morwong dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue morwong is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue morwong edible?

Yes, the Blue morwong is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blue morwong (Nemadactylus douglasii) — Cheilodactylidae — 2
SoggyBottom (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Blue morwong (Nemadactylus douglasii) — Cheilodactylidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Peter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue morwong (Nemadactylus douglasii) — Cheilodactylidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Shaun Lee (CC BY 4.0)
Blue morwong (Nemadactylus douglasii) — Cheilodactylidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) annehenshaw, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blue morwong verified
Scientific name
Nemadactylus douglasii
Family
Cheilodactylidae
Other names
Butterfish; Douglas' morwong; Eastern blue morwong; Great perch; Grey morwong; Porae; Morwong; Lubra-lip; Mowie; Rubberlip morwong; Rubberlip perch; Silver morwong verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
81.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 verified
Natural range
Southeastern Australia and northeastern New Zealand; continental shelf near rocky reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly invertebrates: crustaceans, worms and molluscs sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Elongated lower pectoral fin rays for probing the bottom; food fish of the continental shelf. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Nemadactylus

More from the family Cheilodactylidae

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